Part 415 (1/2)

Enter the LORD MARSHAL and the DUKE OF AUMERLE

MARSHAL. My Lord Aumerle, is Harry Hereford arm'd?

AUMERLE. Yea, at all points; and longs to enter in.

MARSHAL. The Duke of Norfolk, spightfully and bold, Stays but the summons of the appelant's trumpet.

AUMERLE. Why then, the champions are prepar'd, and stay For nothing but his Majesty's approach.

The trumpets sound, and the KING enters with his n.o.bles, GAUNT, BUSHY, BAGOT, GREEN, and others. When they are set, enter MOWBRAY, Duke of Nor folk, in arms, defendant, and a HERALD

KING RICHARD. Marshal, demand of yonder champion The cause of his arrival here in arms; Ask him his name; and orderly proceed To swear him in the justice of his cause.

MARSHAL. In G.o.d's name and the King's, say who thou art, And why thou comest thus knightly clad in arms; Against what man thou com'st, and what thy quarrel.

Speak truly on thy knighthood and thy oath; As so defend thee heaven and thy valour!

MOWBRAY. My name is Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk; Who hither come engaged by my oath- Which G.o.d defend a knight should violate!- Both to defend my loyalty and truth To G.o.d, my King, and my succeeding issue, Against the Duke of Hereford that appeals me; And, by the grace of G.o.d and this mine arm, To prove him, in defending of myself, A traitor to my G.o.d, my King, and me.

And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!

The trumpets sound. Enter BOLINGBROKE, Duke of Hereford, appellant, in armour, and a HERALD

KING RICHARD. Marshal, ask yonder knight in arms, Both who he is and why he cometh hither Thus plated in habiliments of war; And formally, according to our law, Depose him in the justice of his cause.

MARSHAL. What is thy name? and wherefore com'st thou hither Before King Richard in his royal lists?

Against whom comest thou? and what's thy quarrel?

Speak like a true knight, so defend thee heaven!

BOLINGBROKE. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Am I; who ready here do stand in arms To prove, by G.o.d's grace and my body's valour, In lists on Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, That he is a traitor, foul and dangerous, To G.o.d of heaven, King Richard, and to me.

And as I truly fight, defend me heaven!

MARSHAL. On pain of death, no person be so bold Or daring-hardy as to touch the lists, Except the Marshal and such officers Appointed to direct these fair designs.

BOLINGBROKE. Lord Marshal, let me kiss my sovereign's hand, And bow my knee before his Majesty; For Mowbray and myself are like two men That vow a long and weary pilgrimage.

Then let us take a ceremonious leave And loving farewell of our several friends.

MARSHAL. The appellant in all duty greets your Highness, And craves to kiss your hand and take his leave.

KING RICHARD. We will descend and fold him in our arms.

Cousin of Hereford, as thy cause is right, So be thy fortune in this royal fight!

Farewell, my blood; which if to-day thou shed, Lament we may, but not revenge thee dead.

BOLINGBROKE. O, let no n.o.ble eye profane a tear For me, if I be gor'd with Mowbray's spear.

As confident as is the falcon's flight Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight.

My loving lord, I take my leave of you; Of you, my n.o.ble cousin, Lord Aumerle; Not sick, although I have to do with death, But l.u.s.ty, young, and cheerly drawing breath.

Lo, as at English feasts, so I regreet The daintiest last, to make the end most sweet.

O thou, the earthly author of my blood, Whose youthful spirit, in me regenerate, Doth with a twofold vigour lift me up To reach at victory above my head, Add proof unto mine armour with thy prayers, And with thy blessings steel my lance's point, That it may enter Mowbray's waxen coat And furbish new the name of John o' Gaunt, Even in the l.u.s.ty haviour of his son.

GAUNT. G.o.d in thy good cause make thee prosperous!

Be swift like lightning in the execution, And let thy blows, doubly redoubled, Fall like amazing thunder on the casque Of thy adverse pernicious enemy.

Rouse up thy youthful blood, be valiant, and live.

BOLINGBROKE. Mine innocence and Saint George to thrive!

MOWBRAY. However G.o.d or fortune cast my lot, There lives or dies, true to King Richard's throne, A loyal, just, and upright gentleman.

Never did captive with a freer heart Cast off his chains of bondage, and embrace His golden uncontroll'd enfranchis.e.m.e.nt, More than my dancing soul doth celebrate This feast of battle with mine adversary.

Most mighty liege, and my companion peers, Take from my mouth the wish of happy years.

As gentle and as jocund as to jest Go I to fight: truth hath a quiet breast.

KING RICHARD. Farewell, my lord, securely I espy Virtue with valour couched in thine eye.

Order the trial, Marshal, and begin.

MARSHAL. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Receive thy lance; and G.o.d defend the right!

BOLINGBROKE. Strong as a tower in hope, I cry amen.

MARSHAL. [To an officer] Go bear this lance to Thomas, Duke of Norfolk.

FIRST HERALD. Harry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, Stands here for G.o.d, his sovereign, and himself, On pain to be found false and recreant, To prove the Duke of Norfolk, Thomas Mowbray, A traitor to his G.o.d, his King, and him; And dares him to set forward to the fight.

SECOND HERALD. Here standeth Thomas Mowbray, Duke of Norfolk, On pain to be found false and recreant, Both to defend himself, and to approve Henry of Hereford, Lancaster, and Derby, To G.o.d, his sovereign, and to him disloyal, Courageously and with a free desire Attending but the signal to begin.

MARSHAL. Sound trumpets; and set forward, combatants.

[A charge sounded]